REPORT OF THE MARINE LICENCE VETTING COMMITTEE (MLVC)
on
APPLICATION FOR CONSENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW COASTGUARD STATION AT WESTPORT HARBOUR, WESTPORT, CO. MAYO
BY
OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS
Dr. Terry McMahon
Chair, MLVC
10 February 2017
Office of Public Works -Foreshore LicenceApplication for the construction of a new coastguard station at Westport Harbour, Westport, Co. Mayo (FS006729)
Background
In November 2016 the Office of Public Works (OPW)submitted an application for consent, under Section 10 of the Foreshore Acts, 1993 as amended,for the construction of a new coastguard station at Westport Harbour, Westport, Co. Mayo. The new station will facilitate the Irish Coast Guard rescue services for local emergencies.
The proposed project will consist of a gently sloping grassbank, a single storey boathouse and vehicle store, a single storey link and a 3 storey accommodation block. The proposed building will have a combined floor areaof890.4sqm and a maximum overall roof heightof14mabove adjacent public road level. It is intended that rescue boats would be launched from the station directly to the sea.
The location and details of the works are shown in Drawings submitted with the application including:
- Drawing No. 100, “Ordnance Survey Site Location Map”, dated Jan 2016
- Drawing No. 101, “Site Plan”, dated Jan 2016
- Drawing No. 200, “Proposed Floorplans”, dated Jan 2016
- Drawing No. 201, “Proposed East West + North Elevations”, dated Jan 2016
- Drawing No. 202, “Proposed South Elevation +Section AA ”, dated Jan 2016
- Drawing No. 203 “Proposed Sections BB + CC”, dated Jan 2016
- Drawing No 2653-DR-001-P1, “Site Survey and Section Showing Estimated Flood Levels”, dated 06 January 2016
- Drawing No 2653-DR-002-P1, “ Drainage Layout”, dated 20 January 2016
The site is located on reclaimed foreshore (undera1928 consent) which is now in the private ownership of Mayo County Council. As all works will be carried out on previously reclaimed foreshore they will effectively take place “on land”. The present proposal does not include any works on or contiguous to state owned foreshore
Planning Permission for the development was granted, subject to 4 No. Conditions, by Mayo County Council in October 2016 (Reference Number: P16/50)
The total area relating to this application is 0.3189 Ha.
It is anticipated that the proposed works will take approximately 12 months to complete.
The proposed works are not of a class that would require the submission of an Environmental Impact Statement.
Public Consultation
Public consultation was carried out by Mayo County Council as part of the Planning process. No submissions were received during the public consultation period.
MLVC Considerations
The following documents were considered:
- Completed Application Form and associated drawings, dated 18th November 2106
- Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, prepared by JBA Consulting, dated August 2016
- Written submissions from the Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (Water Services Advisor), Marine Survey Office, Marine Institute, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Nature Conservation & Underwater Archaeology).
No objections to a licence being issued were raised
Conclusions and Recommendations
Considering the nature, scale, and location of the proposed works it is concluded that, subject to compliance with the specific conditions set out below, the proposed works would not have a significant negative impact on the marine environment, would not have adverse impacton navigation, fishing or on other legitimate uses / users of the area.It is, therefore, recommended that consent be granted.
Proposed Conditions
- The Licensee shall use that part of the Foreshore the subject matter of this licence for the purposes as outlined in the application and for no other purposes whatsoever.
- The Licensee shall notify the Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government at least 14 days in advance of the commencement of the works.
- Within 2 months of completion of the works where applicable on the Foreshore the Licensee shall provide, to the Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, a statement by a Chartered Engineer certifying that they conform to the relevant Irish or British standard specifications or Codes of Practice and that the said works have been completed in accordance with the plans and drawings approved by the Minister
- The Licensee shall adopt appropriate methods of operation in order to ensure that no spillages of hydrocarbons, cement or other hazardous substance occur to the Foreshore during the course of the works.
- The Licensee shall ensure that the mitigation measures set out in the document entitled “Construction & Environmental Management Plan for Westport Coastguard Station, Westport, Co. Mayo,” dated June 2016, prepared by JBA Consulting are implemented in full
- During the course of the works the Licensee shall ensure thatexisting public access arrangements to the general foreshore area are not impeded by any plant or materials used in connection with the works. Where relevant this access should be made safe and guaranteed by the provision of appropriate signage/notices/barriers etc. to the satisfaction of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
- The Licensee shall ensure that all works shall be carried out in accordance with relevant Health and Safety legislation.
- The Licensee shall ensure thatprocedures are adopted to ensure that the works are not injurious to fishing, navigation, adjacent lands or the public interest
- The Licensee shall arrange the publication of a local marine notice. This local marine notice should give a general description of operations and approximate dates of commencement and completion. An advertisement in a locally read newspaper shall suffice.
- Any damage caused to the foreshore in connection with the works shall be made good on completion of the works to the satisfaction of Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
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